A Study of the Effects of a Transfer Orientation Course upon Student Reaction to College, Study Habits and Attitudes, and Academic Performance. A Report Conducted for the Office of Academic Affairs at Oregon State University.

Rice, Robert

During fall term 1988, an experimental course called HIED 202x was developed to help newly enrolled transfer students with their academic and social adjustment to Oregon State University. Analyses were conducted to determine the effects of the course upon student reaction to college, study habits and attitudes, and academic performance as measured by grade point average (GPA) and retention. Findings indicated that HIED 202x participants had significantly more favorable views of the university than did a matched-pair control group of transfer students. In general, the participants in the HIED 202x course were significantly more likely to interact with faculty, to get help with their studies, to feel that information about the college was easy to get, and to see the college as a friendly and comfortable place. The HIED 202x students also viewed their courses more favorably and were far more academically integrated than nonparticipants--less likely to get behind in their work or get bored in class, more likely to know how well they were doing, and more likely to have received help from faculty or staff. Participants also had significant gains in all seven scales of the Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes. No significant differences in academic performance were found in the first three terms on campus, but HIED 202x participants were less likely to experience a significant decline in GPA between fall and spring terms. (References are included and statistical data from the study are appended. (Author/TE)